Pressure responsive valve



May 29,1945 D. G. GRlswoLD 2,377,227

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE Filed June 4, 1941- 6 Sheets-Shes?I l 9167 V' .sa

66 v By gua-w I*l Ba/mld G. 'riswald May 29, 1945. D. G. GIRISWOLD 2,377,227

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE Filed June 4', 1941 6 sheets-sheet 2 l d27o/Lala G'. Griswold,

May 29, 1945.

D. G. GRISWOLD Jay@ Filed June 4, 1941 6 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 17o/2m G. Griswold 4May 29, 1945. D. G. GRlswoLD 2,377,227

PRESSURERESPONSIVE VALVE Filed June 4, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 i 37 y "I -J #se 106 l a "j C 56 I J6 III 53 v I 56, v 2 107 D .106'

I 10.5 46 -i I' I .5 2 I I ZI j 1 Qs' 2 (Uma/whom lofuzld GCGriSwOZcZ @215% 5MM L @www May 29, 1945- D. G. GRlswoLD 2,377,227

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE Filed June 4, 1941 e sheets-sheet 5 Donald @.Griswold y Altar/ieg@ Maf 29, 1945 D. G. GRlswoLD Y 2,377,227

PRESSURE RESPONS IV E VALVE Filed June 4, 1941 v 6 Shets-Sheet 6 Y 162 x 177 t J 17a L Q I Fzl Juve/2m?" Dozial Q. Griswo d Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENTV OFFICE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to valves, and more particularly to automatic pressure responsive valves of the pilot-controlled type.

More specifically, the invention relates to automatic pilot-controlled pressure relief valves and/or automati-c pilot-controlled pressure regulating valves.

The invention further relates to a pressure regulating valve adapted to serve as an automatic altitude valve to control the liquid level in a remote, elevated tank or reservoir.

The invention still further relates to novel pilot valve means for automatically controlling pressure relief valves and/or pressure regulator valves. l

One of the ,principal objections to known and conventional relief valves is the great amount of force required to operate the same. Another and more serious objection to such valves is their tendency to leak. A still further Aobjection is that the rate of flow through the valve is seriously reduced by the throttling effect caused by the spring load.

Conventional pressure relief valves usually include a ycompression springadjusted so that the valve will open when a given pressure is attained in the line. If the valve is set to release oropen at, say, 100 pounds pressure, a spring load of 100 pounds would-be required to hold the valve closed. In the operation of such valves, as the pressure increases in the inlet chamber or opening of the valve to, say, 991/2 pounds, instead of there being a very substantial closingforce available to insure sealing of the valve, there would only be a one-half pound spring load, and consequently there is a, great tendency for such valves to leak. As the pressure in the inlet chamber further increases to slightly over 100 pounds, or, in other words, when the pressure becomes sufcient to overcome the action of the spring tending to close the valve, the valve will open, but the rate of flow of uid through the valve is restricted by the spring load on the valve disc and the iluid is, therefore, required to continually compress the spring in order to force and maintain an opening for itself through the valve. Thus, the rate of ilow of fluid through the valve, even when the Valve should be wide open, is reduced and throttled because the fluid is required to continually buck the spring load.

In contrast with the above, and notwithstanding the fact that a spring load is used, valves constructed in accordance with the present invention are arranged so that they are either completely opened or completely closed, without any possibility of leakage occurring when the valve is in its closed position, or at a time when l yuse of a pilot valve which is operable by a very small force. This pilot valve is extremely sensitive and yet positive in its control of the main valve. If itis assumed, for illustration, that valves of the present invention are set to relieve or regulate pressures ln excess of pounds, only a few ounces of force will in any event be required to operate the pilot valve. at a pressure of, say, 991/2 pounds, the main valve will be held positively closed; at slightly over 100 pounds, the increase in pressure Will have been suilicient to operate the pilot valve and the main valve will then be permitted to open wide and to remain wide open until the pressure again drops to, say, 991/2 pounds, whereupon the pilot valve will be again operated to completely close the main valve.

The same principles applicable to relief valves apply to pressure regulating valves, and both types of valves are contemplated by' the present invention and, accordingly, have been disclosed herein. In the case of an altitude valve, the spring will be set to maintain the desired static head in the storage tank.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide valve means which can-be operated by a very small force, irrespective of the size of the valve or the predetermined pressure for which the valve is set to operate.

Another object of the invention is to provide valve means which utilizes the pressure in its inlet opening (or outlet opening, as the case may be) to effect automatic opening and closing of the valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide pressure responsive valve means which is positive in its operation and which will not Waver or flutter between open and closed positions, but

which in normal operation will be either completely closed or fully opened; complete closing avoiding undesirable leakage through the valve, and full opening enabling the valve to operate with the maximum efliciency without restricting or impeding flow therethrough,

Therefore,

suitable length to meet various conditions encountered in practice.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic altitude valve for controlling liquid level in an elevated tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sensitive pilot valve means.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism for rotating a pilot. disc through a given angle to effect opening and closing of a main valve.

A still further object of the invention is to provide diaphragm-operated pilot valves arranged so that the operating diaphragm is disposed in a vertical, or a horizontal plane, as desired. C

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the body of a main relief valve and a pilot valve for controlling the main valve, said main valve being in its closed position with the pilot disc and diaphragm of the pilot valve in a corresponding position;

Figure 2 is a view of the same valve, but with the valve disc of the main valve shown during its opening movement, and with the pilot disc and diaphragm of the pilot valve in a. corresponding position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, more particularly illustrating the details of the mechanism for operating the pilot disc;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the pilot disc employed in the valve of Figure i;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail View illustrating the manner in which spent operating fluid from the main valve may be returned to the outlet side of said valve instead of being discharged to the atmosphere or to a suitable drain;

Figure 6 illustrates a pressure regulating valve in its closed position, a modified form of pilot valve being here employed (the main pressure chamber of the pilot valve being shown connected with the outlet side of the main valve, instead of with the inlet side of the main valve as in the case of the relief valves shown in Figures 1 to 5) Figure 7 is a view of the same valve, but showing the main valve in the act of opening;

Figure 8 diagrammatically illustrates the use of a pressure regulator valve, such as shown in Figures 6 and '7, as an altitude valve;

Figure 9 diagrammatically illustrates a modiiied form of actuating means for the pilot valve in which the diaphragm is arranged in a horizontal plane instead of vertically;

Figure 10 illustrates a portion of a pressure relief valve having a modied pilot valve with another type of pilot disc actuating means comprising a horizontal diaphragm and afpair oi' cam slots;

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on the line I I-I I of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged. detail view of the cam slot shown in Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a modification of the pilot disc actuating cam means shown in Figures 10, ll and 12;

Figure 14 illustrates another pressure relief valve with a mechanical linkage for actuating the pilot disc;

Figure 15 is an enlarged View of the pilot disc actuating means shown in Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line I8-I8 of Figure 15.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the letter B indicates the body of the relief valve and the numerals I and 2, respectively, indicate the inlet and outlet chambers of `"the valve. The letter C indicates a cover for the main valve and the letter D indicates a circular diaphragm whose marginal portion is clamped between the body B and the cover C by any suitable number of cap screws 3.

The valve body B is provided with a substantially vertical partition wall 4 which cooperates y with an inclined partition 5 to provide the inlet and outlet chambers I and 2 previously referred to. The wall portions 4 and 5 are merged to provide a circular opening 6 which is threaded and adapted to receive an annular valve seat l. The valve seat 1 is provided with a circular opening 8 which flares outwardly toward the bottom of the valve seat, as `indicated at 9. 'I'he upper surface of the valve seat 1 adjacent the opening y 8 is provided with a declining beveled portion I0 adapted to cooperate with a valve disc I I to form a leak-proof seal, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The valve seat l is further provided with circumferential projections 1' adapted to be engaged by a Spanner wrench for tightly securing the seat in the threaded opening 8.

The valve body B has a threaded opening I2y axially aligned with the opening 8 in the valve seat l. An elongated plug I3 is threaded into the opening I2 and includes a tubular guide portion Iii for the lower end I5 of a valve stem S.

The cover member C is provided with a central boss portion I6 counterbored at I1 to receive a A guide bushing I8 for the upper end i8 of the valve stem S. The bushing I8 is arranged so that it is in axial alignment with the plug i8 and serves as a guide for the upper end of the valve stem.

The valve stem S has a threaded portion 20 intermediate its lower end I5 and its upper end I9. The end I5 is of slightly less diameter than the threaded portion 20 and has a snug sliding iit in the tubular portion I4 of the plug I3. The upper end I9 of the valve stem is enlarged to provide a shoulder at 2| and, moreover, is snugly guided in the bushing I8. Thus, the plug I3 and bushing I8 are arranged to` guide the valve stem S during vertical movement.

An upper diaphragm supporting plate 222 is adapted to be received upon the stem S and to abut the shoulder 2| with the upper side thereof. The upper side of the diaphragm D is engaged with the lower side of the ,plate 22 and is provided with an aperture 23 through which the valve stem S extends. The lower side of the diaphragm D is adapted to engage the upper side of a lower diaphragm supporting plate 24 and the valve stem S extends through a central hole 25 side thereof to receive the valve disc I I previously referred to. A combined clamping member and choke washer 28 is adapted to be mounted upon the stem S and to engage the inner marginal portion of the valve disc Il, Clamping nuts 29 are threaded upon the portion 28 of the valve stem S and serve to retain the valve stem, the diaphragm supporting plates 22 and 24, the valve disc I I, and the choke washer 28 in assembled relation with the diaphragm D.

The peripheral portion of the choke waser 28 is preferably rounded as indicated at 38. and is tapered optwardly and upwardly from the round-l ed portion to substantially its upper outer edge as indicated at 3 I. The rounded and tapered peripheral'portions serve to gradually cut oil the flow through the valve seat opening 8 and to reduce eddying, and the beveled portion I `of the valve cooperates with the valve disc II to form a theoretical line contact seal, whereby quiet, smooth and chatterless operation of the valve is obtained.

The tubular guide I4 for the lower end of the valve stem is pierced by one or more transverse openings 32 to permit the ready escape of any fluid contained in said guide' so as not to intertere with the free movement of the valve stem.

The boss I6 of the cover member C is provided with a threaded opening 34 adapted to receive a plug 35. The cover C is further provided with a cavity 36 shaped to receive the upper diaphragm supporting p1atef22 when the main valve is in open position. The cavity 36 forms a portion of a pressure chamber 31 adapted to receive uid under pressure for actuating the diaphragm D. The bushing I8 is arranged to cooperate with an adjacent boss 38 to limit the opening movement of the stem of the main valve by engagement of the upper diaphragm supporting plate 22 therewith. A passageway 40 is formed in the cap C to establish communication between the pressure chamber 31 and the space between the upper portion of the valve stem S and the plug 35.

A pilot valve generally indicated by the letter P is mounted on the cover C by suitable cap screws 4 I. A gasket 42 is clamped between the pilot valve and the cover to prevent leakage therebetween. The pilot valve comprises a housing 43 containing a main pressure chamber 44 which is continuously subject to the pressure of the fluid in the inlet chamber I of the main valve, the fluid being coni ductedv from said inlet chamber through a passageway 45 in the body B, an opening 46 in the diaphragm D, a passageway 41 in the cover C, an opening 48 in the gasket 42, a passageway 49 in the housing 43, through a strainer 58 into a pilot disc chamber I and thence through a passageway 52 into the pilot pressure chamber 44. The strainer 58 prevents the entrance of foreign matter into the pilot valve with the operating fluid and thus assures4 trouble-free operation and non-clogging of the pilot valve.

The pilot disc chamber 5I is formed at the lower end of pilot valve housing 43, the open end of which chamber is closed by a plate 53 serving as the seat for a pilot valve disc 54. The plate 53 may be secured to the pilot valve housing in any convenient manner. The plate 53 is provided with a central port 55 and a port 56 spaced a predetermined radial distance from the port 55. The gasket 42, of course, is provided with openings that register with the ports 55 and 56.

As shown in Figure 1, the pilot valve disc 54 is provided with a4 through passageway 51 adapted to place the chamber 5I in communication with the diaphragm chamber 31 of the main valve. The under side 'of the cover C is provided with a groove 58 which merges with a passage 58* in said cover so as to assure entrance of operating fluid into the diaphragm chamber 31 to effect closing of the valve even though the diaphragm, when the valve is in its open position, happens to be in contact with the surfaces defining said chamber.

The pilot disc 54 is also Provided with a U- shaped passageway 59 arranged so that, when said pilot disc assumes the position shown in Figure 2, it will establish communication between the ports v55 and 58 and thus permit the escape of'spent operating fluid from the diaphragm pressure chamber 31. A passageway 68 for exhaust fluid is accordingly provided in the cover C and one end 6I is arranged to register with the port 55 and its opposite end 62 may be arranged to ex- .haust to the atmosphere through a fitting 63.

Any conventional tubing (not shown) may be connected to the fltting63 for conducting exhaust operating uid to a suitable drain. However, instead of exhausting such fluid to the atmosphere or conducting it into a drain, the same may be discharged into the outlet side of the valve by the arrangement of passageways shown in Figure 5. As illustrated, the passageway 68 is shown communicating with a downwardly extending passageway 64 in the cover C. An opening 65 is provided inthe diaphragm Dand a furtherpassageggg 61g opens into the outlet chamber of the valve Reverting to Figure 1, the pilot disc 54 is provided with apertures 18.adapted to receive pins 1I depending from a drive washer 12. The drive washer 12 is mounted upon one end of a vertical shaft 13, the opposite end of the shaft being guided in a recess 14 formed in the pilot valve housing .43. The end of the shaft 13 adjacent the drive washer 12 is guided by a bushing 15.

In order to adapt the pilot valve. P for use with either a relief valve or a pressure regulator valve, the shaft 13 may be packed as indicated at 16 to prevent leakage between chambers 44 and 5I, although-it will be apparent that, in Figure 1, such packing is unnecessary because of the interconnection of the two chambers by the passageway 52. However, when the passageway 52 is omitted, the packing 16 serves its intended purpose as will be apparent from Figures 6 and 7.

A spur gear 11 is lxedly secured to the shaft 13 and is arranged so as to mesh with annular ridges 18 formed upon a rod 19 extending at right angles to the shaft 13. The rod 19 is necessarily offset from the shaft 13 as shown in Figure 3. One end of the rod 19 is guided in a recess 8| in the pilot valve housing 43 and the opposite end 82 of said rod is reduced and threaded and connected with a flexible diaphragm 83. Clamping plates 84 and 84EL are disposed upon opposite sides of the diaphragm 83 and a nut 85 clamps the diaphragm between said plates, one of said plates abutting a shoulder 86 on the rod 19.

The marginal portion of the diaphragm 83 is secured between a flange 81 formed at one side 0f the pilot valve housing 43 and a fiange 88 formed upon a, fitting 88. Cap screws 98 secure the fitting 89 to the housing 43 and further serve to clamp the diaphragm 83 in position.

l The portion of the pilot valve housing 43 adjacent the flange 81 is provided with a cavity 9| in which a cup shaped stop element 92 is seated.

The stop element 92 is provided with a. central opening 93 through which the rod 19 slidably extends. The fitting 89 is also provided with a cavity 94 having a bottom constituting a shoulder 95. When the main valve shown in Figure 1 is in its closed position, one of the plates 84 engages the cup shaped stop element 92, and when the main valve is opening or in its fully opened position, the other plate 84* engages the shoulder 95. Thus. the travel of the rod 19 is limited in both directions.

The fitting' v89 is adapted to threadedly receive one end 95 of a threaded pipe nipple 91. The opposite end 99 of said nipple is threaded to re'- ceive a cap member 99. A spring is received in the nipple 91 and one end of said spring engages the adjacent plate 84l and the opposite end of said-spring engages a circular plate I0| slidably mounted in said nipple. An adjusting screw |02 is threadediy mounted in the cap 99 and engages the plate IOI to place any desired initial compression load upon the spring |00. The nipple 91 may be a standard pipe nipple and hence .comparatively cheap and readily available. The use of a standard pipe nipple as a chamber for the adjustable. spring of the valve makes it possible to quickly provide chambers of various lengths to accommodate a considerable variety of spring lengths to meet various conditions encountered in practice.

The automatic operation of the pressure relief valve shown in Figures l to 5 is as follows: Pressure fluid from the inlet chamber I of the main valve passes into the pilot disc chamber 5I and the main pressure chamber 44 of the pilot valve housing in the manner previously described herein. With the pilot disc 54 in the position shown in Figure 1, pressure fluid is free to enter the diaphragm chamber 31 of the main valve to close the valve and maintain the valve disc II against its seat. The main valve will remain closed until the pressure in the inlet chamber I closely approaches that for which the spring |00 has been adjusted. Should an increase in pressure above the predetermined maximum occur, it will be transmitted from the chamber 44, through an opening |03 in the cup shaped stop member 92 to act against the diaphragm 83 of the pilot valve. The pressure on the diaphragm 93 will then gradually compress the spring |00 to the extent permitted by the shoulder 95 which limits the travel ofthe rod 19, as hereinbefore described. lAs the rod 19 moves from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shownin Figure 2, the ridges 18 on saidv rod will cause the spur gear 11 to rotate the shaft 13 and thus turn the pilot disc 54 counterclockwise (as viewed in Figure 4) through the drive washer 12 and pins 1| to ultimately bring the pilot disc 54 to the position shown in Figure 2, at which time the diaphragm pressure chamber 31 in the main valve is open to exhaust by registry of the U-shaped passageway 59 in said pilot disc with the ports 56 in the valve seat 53.

Inasmuch as the diaphragm movement is very short and the force required to rotate the pilot disc 54 is ordinarily no more than a few ounces, the pressure in the chamber 44 of the pilot valve can therefore very closely approach that for which the spring |00 has been adjusted, and the valve is thus made very sensitive and accurate. Therefore, only a slight pressure in excess of that for which the spring |00 is set need be applied to effect complete opening of the valve. In one form of the invention, the shaft 13 need only be oscillated through an angle of approximately 60 to position either the port 51 or the the cover C'.

l retarded or restricted in any way by the adjustable spring |00. Hence. there is no tendency for the valve to flutter or slap and quiet operation is assured. It will further be apparent that upon a sufllcient drop in pressure in the pipe line (not shown), the spring |00 will force the diaphragm ,83 toward the left to its original position shown in Figure 1. This movement of the diaphragm necessarily actuates the rod 19 connected thereto so that said rod operates the pilot disc 54, causing said disc to turn clockwise (as viewed in Figure 4) to ultimately position the through port 51 of said disc in registration with the port 56 inthe seat 53 (as shown in Figure 1) to effect automatic closing of the valve by the line pressure itself.

The pressure regulating valve shown in Figures 6 and 7 is quite similar in construction to the relief valve shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. However, there are certain fundamental structural differences between the two types of valves, and these differences will be pointed out hereinafter. For convenience, corresponding parts in Figures 6 and `7 have been given the same numerals as in Figures 1 to4.

As before indicated, the passageway 52 is omitted from the pilot valve housing of Figures l and 2 to adapt the same for use with a pressure regulating valve. Thus, as shown in Figures 6 and 1, there is a solid wall between the pilot disc chamber 5I and the main pressure chamber 44 of thev pilot valve.4 With the omission of the passageway 52, the pilot valve is no longer responsive to the pressure in the inlet chamber or opening Therefore, in order to make the pilot valve responsive to the pressure conditions in the outlet chamber or opening 2 of the main valve, which is desired, this chamber is connected with the main pressure chamber 44 of the pilot valve. Thus, a passageway |05 vis formed in the body of the valve and this communicates with an opening |06 in a diaphragm D' and a passageway |01 in A fitting |09 is threaded into the cover C' and one vend |09 of a tube ||0 is connected with said coupling. The opposite end iii of said tube is connected with a 'fitting ||2 threaded into an opening ||3 provided in the housing of a pilot valve P'. A passageway itil establishes communication between ythe fitting ||2 and the main pressure chamber 44 of the pilot valve. Thus, the diaphragm 83 of the pilot valve will now be actuated in response to pressure conditions in the outlet chamber or opening 2 of the main valve instead of to the pressure in the inlet opening I.

A further change necessary to convert the relief valve to an automatic pressure regulating valve is that the position of the pilot disc 5t must be shifted with respect to its seat so as to bring the through passageway 51 and the U-shaped exhaust passageway 59 in said pilot disc into proper registration with the port 56 in the valve seat 53. The necessity forshifting the position of the pilot disc 54 will be apparent when it is considered that in a pressure regulating valve the pressure in the outlet side of the valve is continuously communicated to the pilot valve and this pressure must begreater than the load on the spring when the main valve is in closed position, which is contrary to the case of the relief valve, as will be clear from a comparison of Figure 6 with Figure l.

As shown in Figure 6, the rod 19 for actuating the pilot disc 54 has been shifted toward the right as far as the shoulder 95 in the fitting 89 will permit when the main valve is in the closed position. In contrast, when the pressure relief valve is closed, the same rod is moved as far to the left as the cup-shaped stop element 92 will permit, as is clearly shown in Figure 1. Stated another way, the pilot disc 54 in the pressure regulating valve (of Figure 6) must be rotated counterclockwise to effect closing and returned clockwise to effect opening of the main valve; whereas, in the relief valve (of Figure 1) the pilot disc must be rotated clockwise to effect closing and returned counterclockwise to effect opening of the main valve.

Here again, the action of the main valve is extremely sensitive, and upon a pressure drop of only a few ounces below that whichis desired on the outlet side of the valve, the spring |00 will move the diaphragm 83 and the rod 19 connected therewith toward the left (see Figure 7), thereby rotating the pilot disc 54 counterclockwise to permit the wide opening of thevalve. This movement of the rod 19, of course, positions the U- shaped exhaust passageway 59 so as to allow the spent operating fluid to drain from the diaphragm pressure chamber 31 through the passageway 60 and the fitting A63 to the atmosphere or to any drain connected with said fitting. AS the pressure again builds up in the outlet opening 2 of the .main valve, the same will be communicated to the chamber 44 in the pilot valve housing and will act against the diaphragm 83 moving it toward the right to compress the spring |00 to effect a return of the pilot valve disc 54. to the position shown in Figure 6. Actual closing of the main valve is effected by the fluid under pressure introduced into the pilot disc chamber 5| from the inlet opening or chamber I of the main valve.

Figure 8 diagrammatically illustrates a pressure regulator valve, of the type shown in Figures 6 and 7, arranged as an altitude valve and connected with an elevated water storage tank for automatically controlling the liquid level in said tank through hydrostatic pressure. A supply pipe 3| is connected to the valve |32 and a discharge pipe |33 connects said valve with a suitable tank or reservoir |34. The static head of the liquid in the tank |34 is transmitted through a relatively -small tube |35 to the main pressure chamber of the pilot valve P. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that, as the liquid level varies in the tank |34, the fluid pressure acting upon the diaphragm of the pilot valve will correspondingly vary so that the main valve will be automatically opened or closed as conditions require. A suitable spring or adjustment will, of course, be made to meet the requirement of the head under which the valve is to operate. The obvious advantage of the present altitude valve over a float-controlled valve is that the liquid level may be readily controlled even under conditions where there is a tendency for ice to form on the surface of the water in the tank. Under such circumstances, the float mechanism may be damaged or rendered inoperative, and thereby fail to replenish the supply of water in the tank. Such ice cannot in any way affect or interfere with the operation of the present altitude valve.

It has been found desirable in several instances to employ a diaphragm in the pilot valve housing arranged horizontally, instead of vertically, to actuate the pilot disc 54. The horizontal arrangement of the diaphragm has the advantage that its size is not limited by the proximity of the main valve as is the case with the vertical diaphragm. In order to obtain this advantage, various means are disclosed herein for operatively connecting the pilot disc with a horizontal diaphragm in the pilot valve housing.

Figure 9 diagrammatically illustrates a gear mechanism for oscillating the pilot disc through the desired angle to effect opening and closing of the main valve by means of a horizontally disposed diaphragm |20. The diaphragm |20 may be connected to an actuating rod |2| similar to and in the manner illustrated in Figure 6. 'Ihe ridges or teeth |22 on the rod |2| are arranged to engage a spur gear |23 mounted upon a horizontal shaft |24. The shaft |24 carries a bevel gear |25 which meshes with a bevel gear |26 on the pilot disc drive shaft |21. The drive from the shaft |21 to the pilot disc |28 is of the type heretofore described, namely, through a drive washer |29 and pins |30.

Figure l0 illustrates a portion of a pressure relief valve arranged to be actuated by a horizontally disposed diaphragm |40, the peripheral portion of which diaphragm is clamped between a flange |4| of a pilot valve housing |42 and a cover plate |43. The housing and cover plate are secured together by a suitablev number of cap screws |44. The diaphragm |40 is axially aligned with a pilot disc drive shaft |45. A rod |46 has a reduced end |46it extending through washers |41 and |41a on opposite sides of the diaphragm. The rod |46, diaphragm |40 and washers |41-|41a are held together by means of a nut 48 threaded upon a reduced end |46a of said rod. The rod |46 slidably extends through an opening |48 in a cup-shaped spacer |49 and is hollowed out to telescope with the upper end of the pilot disc drive shaft |45. A drive washer |5| secured to said drive shaft transmits rotation of the shaft to a pilot disc |50 by means of pins |52 in the manner previously described.'

A pin |53 extends diametrically through the shaft |45 and its ends project into diagonal cam slots |54 cut in the rod |46. The rod |46 is preferably constrained against rotation, and this may be conveniently done by flattening opposite sides of the rod as indicated at |55 in Figure 11 and making the opening |48 in the spacer |49 of corresponding contour. The cam slots |54 are so shaped that, upon movement or travel of the rod |46 from one extreme limit to the other, the pilot disc |50 will be rotated from a position allowing closing of the main valve to onewhich will permit full opening of said valve. To facilitate correlation of the rod |46 with the pilot disc |50, said pilot disc, with its through port |56 and U-shaped exhaust passageway |51, has been shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 11` The lowermost washer |41 (see Figure 10) is shown in engagement with the cup-shaped stop member |49 which limits the downward travel of the diaphragm |40. When the diaphragm is in this position, the through passage |56 of the pilot disc |50 is positioned so that operating fluid may enter the diaphragm pressure chamber 31 of the main valve to effect closing of said valve. After a suflicient pressure has been built up in the pipe lineinot shown) .and in inlet side of the valve. the diaphragm |40 will start to move upwardly as the result of the admission of pressure uid through an opening |66 in the .stop member |46 into the diaphragm chamber |59 of the pilot valve. 'I'he entrance of the iiuid may be facili-A tated if desired by a groove |41 cut in the lower face of the lower washer |41. Continued increase in pressure will nally cause the upper washer |41 to engage the cover |43 and thereby limit upward movement of the diaphragm. Inasmuch as the rod 1461s connected with the diaphragm, its travel will correspond to that oi said diaphragm. Accordingly, as the non-rotatable rod |46 is moved upwardly, the cam slots |54 acting on the ends of the pin |58 will cause the drive shaft |45 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction,` as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1l, to place the U-shaped exhaust passageway |51 of the pilot disc |50 in position to drain the spent operating fluid from the chamber 31 of the main valve and thereby allow said valve to open. Downward movement of the rod |46 will obviously rotate the pilot disc |50 in the reverse direction. While two cam slots |54 have been shown, it will be understood that one cam slot cooperating with one end of the pin |53 may be used if desired.

Figure 13 illustrates a diierent type of cam for actuating the pilot disc drive shaft. As shown, a rod |60 telescopes a pilot disc drive shaft |6| having a pin |62 extending diametrically therethrough. A lower side portion of the rod |80 is cut away to provide cam surfaces |63 and |64 adapted to cooperate with the projecting ends of the pin |62. The rod |60 is adapted to be reciprocated by a diaphragm in a manner similar to the rod |48, while being constrained against rotation. Consequently, the cam surface |63 will cause the pilot disc shaft |6| to be rotated in acounterclockwise direction when the rod |60 is moved upwardly, and the cam surface |64 will cause said shaft to be rotated in a clockwise direction when said rod is moved downwardly. The cam arrangement shown in Figure 13 has the advantage (over that shown in Figure 12) of facilitating assembly, in that the rod |60 may be slipped longitudinally over the shaft |6| after the pin |62 has been mounted in said shaft; whereas, the pin |53 of Figure 12 must be mounted in the shaft |45 after the rod |48 has been telescopically arranged relatively to said shaft.

It will be noted from Figure that the horizontal diaphragm arrangement permits the use of a diaphragm of larger diameter than that shown in Figures 1 to 7 without any increase in' the height of the pilot valve housing. This view also illustrates the convenience with which a longer spring |65 may be positioned in a suitable standard pipe nipple |66 to meet -various conditions encountered in practice.

Figure 14 illustrates a pilot valve somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 10, but utilizing a mechanical linkage instead of a cam for oscillating the drive shaft of the pilot disc. With the arrangement illustrated, the axis of the diaphragm |10 of the pilot valve is offset relative to the axis of the pilot disc drive shaft |1|. Here again, a rod |12 is slidably mounted in a cupshaped spacer |13, but for obvious reasons it is immaterial thatthe rod |12 be constrained from rotation by the spacer |13. The rod |12 is connected with the diaphragm |10 and washers |14 and |14* by means of a nut |16 threaded upon a reduced portion |16 of said rod. The lower end of the rod |12 is preferably bifurcated to receive the end of an arm |11 of a bell crank |18. The extremity of the-,arm |11 is provided with an elongated slot |19, and apin |80 extends through said slot and is carried by the bifurcated end of the rod |12. The bell crank |18 is pivotally mounted upon a support which may take the form of a bracket |62 secured by a rivet |03 or other means to the spacer |13. A pin |84 forms va pivotal mounting for the bell crank |18 on the It will be apparent from Figures 14 to 16 that, l

as the iiuid pressure builds up in the main pressure chamber |89 of the pilot valve, the same will be communicated through an opening |80 in the spacer |13 to the diaphragm chamber I 9| in the pilot valve housing and move the diaphragm against the opposing action of the spring |92 to effect a closing of the main relief valve (not shown) 'Ihe entrance of iiuid into the chamber |9| may be facilitated if 'desired by a groove iid' cut in the lower face of the lower washer 14. As the diaphragm |10 moves upwardly, the rod i12, of course, will move therewith, and upward movement of said rod will cause an angular movement of the bell crank |16 about its pivot |84 and thus cause the forked end |85 of said bell crank to move the rigid arm |86 through the desired angle and thereby cause the pilot disc drive shaft |1| t0 be correspondingly rotated to position the pilot 4 disc |88 so that pressure iluid mayow into the diaphragm pressure chamber of the main valve to effect closing of said valve.

While various forms of the valves comprising 5 the invention have been disclosed, and while various mechanisms for operating the pilot disc by either a horizontal or verticaldiaphragm have also been disclosed, it will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. AA pilot valve for controlling a main valve comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot' disc chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chamber; passage means in said housing for admitting uid under pressure into said chambers, one end of said pressure chamber being enlarged to provide a 'pilot diaphragm chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said pilot diaphragm chamber arranged so that one side thereof is constantly subject to the pressure of the uid in said pressure chamber; means on the opposite side of said pilot diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing thereof in one direction; a rotatable ported pilot disc in'said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating fluid from said pilot disc chamber; a ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilot disc; means for actuating said pilot disc in accordance with the ilexing movements of said pilot diaphragm, .including an element connected 4with said pilot diaphragm and extending therefrom into said pressure chamber and arranged to be reciprocated by said pilot diaphragm, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition .and having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said element and said drive shaft for converting reciprocatory movement of said element into rotary movement of said drive shaft and pilot disc and stop means for limiting flexing of said pilot diaphragm in opposite directions.

2. A pilot valve for controlling a main valve comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot disc chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal, imperforate partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chamber; separate passage means in said housing for admitting fluid under pressure into said cham-v bers, respectively, one end of said pressure chamber being enlarged to provide a pilot diaphragm chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said pilot diaphragm chamber arranged so thatv one side thereof is constantly subject to the pressure of the fluid in said pressure chamber; means on the opposite side of said pilot diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing thereof in one direction; a, rotatable ported pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating fluid from said pilot disc chamber; a ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilot disc; means for actuating said pilot disc in ac cordance with the flexing movement of said pilot diaphragm including an element connected with said pilot diaphragm and extending therefrom into said pressure chamber and arranged to be reciprocated by said pilot diaphragm, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition and having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said element and said drive shaft for converting reciprocatory movement of said element into rotary movement of said drive shaft and pilot disc; and stop means for limiting flexing of said pilot diaphragm in opposite directions.

3. A pilot valve for controlling a main valve comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot disc chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chambers; said horizontal partition having a passageway establishing communication between said chambers; passage means in said housing for admitting fluid under pressure into at least one of said chambers, one end of said pressure chamber being enlarged to provide a pilot diaphragm chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said pilot diaphragm chamber arranged so that one side thereof is constantly subject to the pressure of the fluid in said pressure chamber; means on the opposite side of said'pilot diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing thereof in one direction; a rotatable ported pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating fluid from said pilot disc chamber; a ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilot disc; means for actuating said pilot disc in accordance with the flexing movement of said pilot diaphragm including an element connected with said pilot diaphragm and extending therefrom into said pressure chamber and arranged to be reciprocated by said pilot diaphragm, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition and ,having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said element and said drive shaft for converting reciprocatory movement of said element into rotary movement of said drive shaft and pilot disc; and stop means for limiting flexing of said pilot diaphragm in,

opposite directions.

4. A pilot valve for controlling a main valve ,a comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot disc chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chamber; passage means in said housing for admitting fluid under pressure into said chambers, one end of said pressure chamber being enlarged to provide a pilot diaphragm chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said pilot diaphragm chamber arranged so that `one side thereof is constantly subject to the pressure of the fluid in said pressure chamber; means on the opposite side of said pilot diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing thereof in one direction; a rotatable ported pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating fluid from said pilot disc chamber; a

ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilot disc; means for actuating said pilot disc in accordance with the flexing movements of said pilot diaphragm including a reciprocable rod connected at one end thereof with said pilot diaphragm and extending therefrom into said pressure chamber and having its opposite end slidably supported in said housing, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition and having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said slidable rod and said drive shaft for converting reciprocatory movement of said rod into rotary movement of said drive shaft` and pilot disc; and stop means for limiting flexing of said pilot diaphragm in opposite directions.

5. A pilot valve for controlling a main valve comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot dise chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chamber; passage means in said housing for admitting fluid under pressure into said chambers, said housing having an enlargement providing a pilot diaphragm chamber at one end of said pressure chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said pilot diaphragm chamber; a generally cup-shaped member in said pilot diaphragm chamber disposed between said pilot diaphragm and the adjacent end of said pressure chamber, the bottom wall of said cup-shaped member serving as a stop to limit flexing of said pilot diaphragm in one direction and having an opening extending therethrough arranged so that one side of said pilot diaphragm is constantly subject to the pressure of the iluid in said pressure chamber; means on the opposite side oi' said pilot diaphragm yieldably opposing flexing thereof in the opposite direction; means limiting iiexing of said pilot diaphragm in said opposite direction; a rotatable ported pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating fluid from said pilot disc chamber; a .ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilotdisc; and means for actuating said pilot disc in accordance with the exing movements of said pilot diaphragm, including a slidable rod connected at one end thereof with said pilot diaphragm, said bottom wall of said cup member having a guide opening and said rod slidably extending through said guide opening into said pressure chamber, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition and having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said rod and said drive shaft for converting reciprocatory movement of said rod into rotary movement of said drive shaft and pilot disc.

6. A pilot valve for controlling a main valve comprising: a housing; a pressure chamber and a pilot disc chamber in said housing arranged in superimposed relation; a horizontal partition in said housing separating said chambers and forming the bottom wall of said pressure chamber and the top wall of said pilot disc chamber; passage means in said housing for admitting fluid under pressure into said chambers, said housing having an yenlargement providing a pilot dia.- phragm chamber at one end of said pressure chamber; a pilot diaphragm extending across said a stop to limit ilexing of said pilot diaphragm in one direction and having an opening extending therethrough arranged so that kone side ci said pilot diaphragm is constantly subject to the pressure of the uid in said pressure chamber; elongated hollow means on the opposite side of said pilot diaphragm including a. stop i'or limit ing exing of said pilot diaphragm in the opposite direction; means in said hollow Ymeans yieldably opposing flexing of said pilot diaphragm in said opposite direction; a rotatable ported pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber for controlling the flow of operating uid from said pilot disc chamber; a ported member forming a closure for the lower end of said pilot disc chamber and providing a seat for said pilot disc; and means for actuating said pilot disc in accordance with the flexing movements of said pilot diaphragm, including a slidable rod connected at one end thereof with said pilot diaphragm, said bottom wall of said cup member having a guide opening and said rod slidably extending through said guide opening into said pressure chamber, the opposite end of said rod being slidably supported in said housing, a rotatable vertical drive shaft journaled in said horizontal partition and having one end thereof connected with said pilot disc in said pilot disc chamber and its other end extending into said pressure chamber, and means in said pressure chamber between said rod and said drive shaft for converting reoiprocatory movement of said rod into rotary movement of said drive shaft and pilot disc.

DONALD G. GRISWOLD. 

